Religious scholars at Jamia Binoria Town in Karachi have issued a fatwa categorically denouncing the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, declaring its use as “Haraam” from a religious perspective. The fatwa explicitly calls for a ban on TikTok, expressing concerns about its exploitation for financial gain through the dissemination of inappropriate content.
The religious decree emphasizes that TikTok is predominantly used for engaging in illicit activities, such as sharing prohibited images, videos, and music, spreading indecent content, and promoting inappropriate humor. Notably, individuals of various age groups, including both the youth and the elderly, are involved in TikTok activities to earn money, raising concerns about the alignment of these activities with strong moral values. The scholars highlight the need to consider potential negative impacts on individuals’ behavior and ethical values.
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Owned by China-based ByteDance, TikTok has faced recurring calls for bans globally, with particular attention in Pakistan. In 2022 alone, the platform reported over 39 million downloads, according to data from Sensor Tower, a mobile and digital analytics firm. This comes amid a history of legal actions against TikTok, including a five-month ban imposed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in 2021. The ban was lifted after TikTok assured authorities of better control over indecent or immoral content on the platform.
The issued fatwa not only underscores the religious prohibition of TikTok but also delves into moral and cultural concerns associated with the platform. It points out TikTok’s role in encouraging the photographing and videoing of individuals, explicitly forbidden in Sharia.
The fatwa condemns the content on TikTok, alleging the creation of vulgar videos and activities leading to the sin of looking at the “Na Mahram.” Additionally, it criticizes the common use of music, singing, and dancing in TikTok videos as a means of spreading obscenity and nudity. The fatwa raises concerns about the platform’s promotion of acts that mock scholars and religious figures, emphasizing the waste of time associated with TikTok usage.
The fatwa from Jamia Binoria Town adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding TikTok’s cultural impact and its potential influence on societal norms. As the debate on the appropriateness of TikTok content continues, the platform’s popularity persists, making it essential to balance freedom of expression with cultural and religious sensitivities.
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